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The Cato Institute says US policies have kept the number of nuclear-armed…

2026-06-17 · 13:01 UTC ·@CatoInstitute ·0 min read

Brief

The Cato Institute will convene experts on June 24, 2026, in Washington, DC to examine whether US policies that have limited nuclear-armed states to nine remain sustainable. The conference (10:00 a.m.–2:05 p.m. EDT) will assess incentives driving proliferation and whether American strategy should soften anti-proliferation maximalism given costs and strategic strains.

Why it matters

The Cato Institute says US policies have kept the number of nuclear-armed countries at nine but warns rising proliferation incentives could force a rethink of US anti-proliferation maximalism.

Key details

Cato is hosting an in-person conference on June 24, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:05 p.m. EDT in Washington, DC to debate the 'carrots and sticks' of US policy; registration link: ow.ly/y3lC50Zcwjp

Source evidence

US policies have helped limit the number of nuclear-armed countries to nine, but growing proliferation incentives and strains on American grand strategy may eventually force US policymakers to reconsider anti-proliferation maximalism. Join the Cato Institute for a conference with leading experts on the carrots and sticks of US policy and whether they will remain effective at an acceptable cost to Americans.

🗓️ June 24, 10:00 a.m. – 2:05 p.m. EDT
📍 Cato Institute, Washington, DC